Kazuma Kobori earns top card at Australasian Tour School
Kazuma Kobori left- on his way to a successful professional career – file photo Australian Golf Media
New Zealand amateur Kazuma Kobori has finished as the leading qualifier at the PGA Tour of Australasia Tour School completed at the Moonah Links Open course today.
Kobori who four years ago, at the age of 17, won the NZPGA Championship near Christchurch, a PGA Tour of Australasia event, has remained as an amateur until now but recent good finishes in events such as the New Zealand Open (6th), the NZ PGA Championship (4th) and a 6th place in a Japan Tour event last year have prompted the now 21 year old to chase his professional dreams.
Kobori, the current Australian Amateur Champion, is the brother of outstanding Momoka Kobori who is already playing her trade successfully in Europe having won two events on the secondary version of the Ladies European Tour and produced several good finishes including a win against the men in the Webex Series on the PGA Tour of Australasia.
Kobori shared the 72 hole strokeplay honours with Queensland’s Chris Crabtree, whose main claim to fame until now was when 4th at the 2017 NSW Open. Kobori though would birdie the first playoff hole to establish the important top position.
Kobori will continue as am amateur until later in the year after events such as the Asia Pacific Amateur Championship after which it is likely he will turn to the paid ranks.
27 year old Crabtree, though, will secure the $10,000 winner’s cheque due to Kobori’s amateur status.
Both players finished on 11 under par, one shot clear of New Zealand’s Sung Jin Yeo who recently finished runner-up at the NZPGA Championship.
The top 30 finishes gained playing rights to the 2023/2024 PGA Tour of Australasia.
